One girl, one boy

During the interview, Nicole checks on her brother, who had become quiet and withdrawn and whispers words of encouragement in his ear.
Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

One girl, one boy

Identical 14-year-old twins, Nicole and Jonas Maines, started out life as brothers Wyatt and Jonas. Nicole is transgender.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Jonas and Wyatt during their second birthday party.

| December 11, 2011

When he was 4, Wyatt asked his mother: "When do I get to be a girl?" In the fifth grade, Wyatt's name was legally changed to Nicole.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Wyatt often liked to dress in girl's clothes and identified more as a girl than a boy.

| December 11, 2011

Jonas, Nicole and their parents, Kelly and Wayne Maines.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Jonas and Wyatt playing when they were 2.

| December 11, 2011

Nicole is part of the groundbreaking clinic at Children's Hospital founded by Dr. Norman Spack, that helps families deal with emotional and medical issues that arise from having a transgender child. The Maines are the first identical twins the program has seen.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Wyatt posed with barbie dolls at age 4.

| December 11, 2011

A self-portrait Wyatt Maines drew in first grade. Throughout elementary school, Wyatt told classmates he was a "girl-boy."

| December 11, 2011

Jonas and Wyatt Maines at age 9. Wyatt started growing his hair longer and started talking about a name change in fourth grade.

| December 11, 2011

During the interview, Nicole checks on her brother, who had become quiet and withdrawn and whispers words of encouragement in his ear.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

An essay by Wyatt Maines, written in the fourth grade.

| December 11, 2011

Jonas and Nicole play video games in Jonas's room.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Drawing and poem by Wyatt Maines, age 7. In the fifth grade, Nicole was harassed and bullied and the family eventually decided to change schools.

| December 11, 2011

Jonas lifts his sister, Nicole, as they horse around in her bedroom. Both have black belts in tae kwon do.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

Self-portrait by Wyatt Maines, fourth grade.

| December 11, 2011

In Nicole's room. Jonas makes Nicole's bed to neaten up for a photo shoot. Nicole has been taking male hormone suppressors since she was 11; the next step is to add female hormones.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| December 11, 2011

"I love having a sister," says Jonas. "We have a very strong relationship."